The Bristol Board Jungle

This is one of those books you either get or you don't... And I got it. I've enjoyed it so much I've read it numerous times over now. Each time I read it I can take something new from it back and use it to help improve my own work. In Bristol Board Jungle, Mark Kneece and Bob Pendarvis have done something unique; Created an original book about comic book instruction. Unlike traditional how-to-draw books or art creation theory books that get bogged down in the technical and wordiness, Kneece and Pendarvis keep you engaged in a dramatic story that just happens to be educational. Presented in a graphic novel format, Bristol Board Jungle is similar to the work of Scott McCloud, but wholly original on it's own because it teaches through a group setting with illustration. How does it achieve that when I'm reading the book by myself you say? Because Bristol Board Jungle is the story of a semi-fictional first year sequential art class taught by the two authors. The story engages you by creating the feeling that you are there, sitting in the class with the students, learning at the same time they are with visual and descriptive examples. It's not all just class setting though, the story keeps you engaged and curious by giving glimpses into the lives and dramas of the instructors and the students outside of class. Unlike most instructional or how-to-draw books this book doesn't teach you to draw like someone else, but fosters and encourages the development of your own individual style, evidenced by the fact that each chapter is drawn by a different artist. True, those who have professional experience in comics or have taken art courses may know all this stuff, but in my career I've met a plethora of would-be comikers who don't know the basics and would benefit from reading this book. I am experienced in the comics field and I still find this book useful, but more importantly fun to read. At the end of it all, if you were paying attention, you'll come out the other end of this book feeling revitalized and like you've gotten the education of a first year college course in sequential art, more than worth the price of the book. The Bristol Board Jungle

This book was being developed when I graduated from The Savannah College of Art and Design, so I was anticipating its release for quite some time. Well, I've finally gotten a copy and I must say it was worth the wait. This book is all about variety. The artwork is done by a number of SCAD students, all of whom have a wide variety of styles. This gives each chapter a different look and feel, which keeps the visual aspect fresh as the story develops. This also serves as hard evidence as to just how different actual students can be in their approach to drawing comics. As Bob says in the Introduction, this shows that there's no "one way" to create comics. The variety of characters in this book wonderfully reflects the variety of students that one might typically find in a Sequential Art classroom. The different ordeals, quirks and attitudes expressed by the characters in this book are things that I witnessed first-hand in nearly every Sequential Art class that I took. And the variety of subjects from within the realm of Sequential Art is covered in the book thoroughly and to the point. The characters in the book learn about things like penciling, inking and scripting by working on helpful assignments that were really given to me and other actual Sequential Art students. Another way that this book is all about variety is in the variety of people who can get a lot of use out of this book. From teachers and professors who'd like to go into teaching Sequential Art, to people who are teaching themselves and would like a fun way to learn. Also, it's a great book for people who just want to read a solid, fun graphic novel with a great story. I definitely highly recommend this book!

This book hits too close to home, as I am a student of both Mark and Bob's, and I relive certain class periods just reading this. The stereotypes of the students are exact, and although they did not have time to put everything in I think it summerizes what one learns in Sequential classes or art school in general. The different art styles each chapter is in is a neat effect, as it helps give the reader the impression of all the different points of view. It is a great tool for understanding comics. A must read for comic book artists and fans!

Haha! I'm the first reviewer! Actually... I didn't even read it through all the way yet. But it's drawn by a bunch of students, so if nothing else, there's variety. Bob seems to get angry a lot. How odd. And there's sort of a plot. Mostly it's about making comics. Sometimes it's a little confusing. Probably because it's different artists, but it gets a little choppy. Well, Norris is about to close, so I have to go.Edit: I think there are too many characters for the length of the book. And since they change appearance (sometimes radically) every chapter, it can be really hard to keep them straight. Having them call each other by name more might have helped (also not having two named Jason), since what happens is that instead of individuals, I was keeping track of them as the goups jerk boys, girls, and others/transvestite (which I completely missed the first time I read through it). Then again, the students' main purpose is to teach about comics and not be soap stars, so it's certainly sufficient.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in writing or drawing comics. It's not as in-depth as Scott McCloud's "Understanding Comics," but it isn't meant to be. You'll meet Mark Kneece and Bob Pendarvis, two professors at the Savannah College of Art and Design (both of whose classes I've taken and very much enjoyed), and their students (ingenious parodies of the different people I've met in my classes over the past two years). We learn what they learn as the story unfolds, in the form of a graphic novel, with art by former students. There's even a special bonus story at the end by Bob Pendarvis himself, which is, all by itself, worth the cover price. Bob is truly a master of his craft and, if I may say, a handsome and suave man-about-town.The story itself is very cleverly done. You effectively become a member of the class, hearing the things Mark and Bob say to the students and looking at their actual assignments. But it isn't as dry as most other books of its kind; the class is part of an overall story, and the characters are believable and interesting. Having been a student at SCAD for the past two years, I find the portayals particularly hilarious, because each and every character has his own counterpart in every class I've taken here. My favorites are the two who think they're already great comic artists and so never listen to a word Mark or Bob say (and, of course, we get to see the assignments they hand in, which are priceless).The art, by former students at SCAD, has its ups and downs, but overall it's a good testament to Mark, Bob, and all the other Sequential Art professors' teaching abilities. Not only is it drawn well, but it reads pretty flawlessly, something budding comic artists know isn't easy to achieve. (Although, that it reads so well is probably largely the work of Mark Kneece, the thinking man's comics writer, a bastion of intellect and savvy, and also a generous giver of A's.) In particular, Ramanda Kamarga's section is fantastic. And I have to mention the cover art, by SCAD professor Julie Collins, a great teacher, a hugely gifted artist, and a pretty cool chick besides-it's an awesome cover, is what I mean to say.If you're at all interested in comics, either creating them or just reading them, you'll find this an enjoyable and educational read. If you're a prospective SCAD student, you have no excuse not to order it right now.